Big Fish

COLLEGE. OMG.

It's finally here. The place I've dreamed about and talked about for years and now I'm really here in big kid school. My classes start tomorrow. 

This past weekend was freshman orientation, or Get Connected, as BYUI calls it. It was SO much fun! So many fun, social activities. I've met hundreds of amazing people from all over the country, and even outside the country. 

I had an amazing opportunity to perform in the talent show this past Friday. About 75 people auditioned and only 19 people got to perform that night. I made it, and I was the first to perform?

I'm not used to being the first to perform in concerts and shows like this. I'm usually toward the end. But, FIRST? Like, do they want to get me over with or something? It kind of freaked me out for a minute. 

I performed an original composition that my producer, River White, and I wrote. He named it "Dragon". It's definitely a Lindsey-Stirling-type-ish song, very dubstep and hip hop, so it was definitely one to pump up a crowd. As I did sound check and as showtime became closer and closer, I did not feel nervous one bit. I just got even more excited. I was so excited to have this opportunity to shine and show this new world who I am. I recalled performing in Carnegie Hall earlier this year in February with an orchestra. That hall is BREATHTAKING. The depth of the audience, the acoustics, the SIZE of the audience. I realized that I would rather perform for 5000 over 5 people any day. I have no nerves whatsoever. I absorb all the energy from the audience, whether they're screaming or not, and I spit it back out at them, and they give it back, then I give it back. It's like a cycle. 
So, I played my piece and had a paparazzi later, along with the other amazing talent show participants. BEST NIGHT EVER. I'm SO pumped to perform more often this semester, both classically and contemporarily. (is that a word?) I feel like a rockstar here. 

This wasn't actually during my performance, but I LOVED the view of all those iPhone flashlights. So beautiful. 

Aside from all the partying and socializing, I do have a degree to pursue. And what is that? Oh, yeah. String PERFORMANCE. Haaa! Perhaps some of this socializing does help get me an audience! The only thing I fear this semester, and future semesters, is balance. Balancing good grades, sleep, health, study time, practice time, fun, sanity....it's gonna be an adventure, that's for sure! 
And I'm SO. EXCITED. 

I am so blessed to have the House of the Lord just blocks away. City on a hill. SO BLESSED.

Dear, Father in Heaven, you spoil me way too much. 

How big is your wave?

August 30th, 2013. (My 19th birthday) Port Aransus, TX. 

What's that one quote that's like "I can't adjust the winds but I can adjust the sails"? Something like that. Same goes for surfing. Well, and life. 

For Labor Day weekend/my birthday, my dad and I took a daddy-daughter trip to Port Aransus, TX, located on Mustang Island. Port aransus is known for its fishing, not surfing, but surfing is what I wanted to do there. I wasn't expecting to see really any waves at all, since I've heard there weren't many on the Texas gulf. I rented a board anyway just to try. I've surfed in Kauai, Hawaii and St. Augustine, Florida this year already, Hawaii obviously having the best waves. I guess I never really thought about how different ocean waves are in different places. I mean it's all one ocean, right? This may sound kind of preachy, but I think ocean waves are like the trials in or lives. They're all different sizes and come in all sorts of forms, but it's up to us to either swim over them, or duck dive right through them, if they're that big. 

The waves in Port Aransus were pretty choppy and were all very close together, making it hard to catch one. A lot of times I got quite frustrated because I probably looked so foolish out there, only barely catching 10% of the waves. I was even starting to think we had just wasted our time and money (and gas) to come here. I didn't want to quit, though, because we were there and I had a board so I might as well keep trying. I met another blonde girl out there surfing, and we chatted for a little bit. I didn't get to know her that well, but she and I would say "take this one! Go!" And that's when I caught two or three decent waves. It's amazing what we can do with some support. After being out there for about 4 hours, I called it a day since I could definitely tell my face was getting fried. 

I went surfing again the next day. The waves were really rough and actually quite big, which made me excited at first. I took my board out and tried to catch some, but I felt like the more I paddled out, a giant wave would crash in me and push me closer towards shore, or I'd stay in one place. I didn't realize that there was a really strong current as well, pushing me closer and closer toward the pier. When these weird 13 year olds started flirting with me, or trying to I guess, I finally caught an AWESOME wave. (Thank you, Lord for that timing!) I wasn't up for long because the poles of the pier were right in front of me. I jumped backwards off my board to avoid it, but the wave still crashed on me, whacking me against the barnacle-covered pier. At that point my dad had come out in the water to come help me. My left foot was really stinging and I felt like something bit me. Nothing bit me, don't worry, but those barnacles are sharp! My foot was bleeding pretty bad, but not so bad to where I needed stitches or anything. 

It's not bad at all. I tried to clean off most of the blood before taking a picture to scare mom. 

I'm so thankful my dad came out there and helped me because if he hadn't, I would have continued to get smashed up against the poles of the pier and get cut up, especially since I had just swallowed a gallons worth of salt water and kept coughing. As I was resting, I was really frustrated with myself for not being a stronger swimmer/better surfer. I had been swimming all summer and had surf lessons, so I thought I'd be able to get right up and just go on these junk waves. My dad then reminded me of all my gifts and talents, and then pointed out in the ocean at the the other surfers that weren't catching many waves, either, including the more advanced surfers. "You don't have to be perfect at everything." Ugh my dad and his dang wisdom. 

The whole purpose of this weekend wasn't just to surf, it was to spend time with my dad. After my foot quit bleeding for the most part, my dad came out with me in the water, AWAY from the pier. We both had trouble fighting that current that kept pushing us back toward the pier, but it sure did help to have an extra hand of support. We really can't do it all on our own, no matter how much we want to or think we can. I know the basics of surfing, but I didn't have quite enough arm power for these weird waves in Port A, so my dad gave me an extra push. That extra push is really all I needed. Sometimes it's the only thing we need to get goin. The best wave I got that day was a small, junk wave, but there were a ton of fish riding the wave with me, which was something I've never experienced. And, I heard some little kids on a tube near me go "whooooaaaa!" as I rode that wave. That was a pretty cool feeling. This trip was not a waste. 

My dad and I both have to admit that Port Aransus is actually kind of a junky town, but we did get to go on a boat ride and see some dolphins. I took about 40 pictures of them, but they were always going back into the water and weren't decent shots. Of course it was when everyone put their camera away that the dolphins came even more out of the water and came closer to the boat. It's like they recognize the cameras, haha! So odd. 

I did capture a lovely sunset that night though. 

After capturing this, a dolphin popped out of the water, right in line with the sunset. Too bad I can't prove it. 

Luckily I did not run into any sharks in the water, but they were EVERYWHERE elsewhere. Take this one for example. Probably the most out of place decoration I've ever seen in an Easter-egg-colored ice cream shop. 
Sharks are everywhere, though. . . even out of the water. Watch out!

My dad and I with our cheesy tourist shirts (his was boring that day) and his interesting choice of sunglasses. Observe that burn line on my right hand...

Remember it's not about where you are and what you're doing, but who you're with! 

Accept support and be the support. 

*Happy Labor Day!*

How have YOU improved today?

I have never been much of a blogger, so I hope this goes well. Actually, I've never blogged in my life. When it comes to social networking or sharing my thoughts, I usually tweet something witty or upload a picture to Facebook or Instagram. 

Right now I'm in this awkward "in between" high school and college bubble, which has granted me an awesome and long summer, but now I'm basically just sitting around waiting to leave for college. Most of my friends are already in their college classes as I type this, and I must say that I envy them. However, this has given me more time to think about my future and what kind of person I'm becoming and whatnot. 

I have days where I am feeling very motivated and productive, and then the next day will be completely unproductive and lazy, which I hate doing but I guess I'm human. Other days just seem to be nonstop. So, I decided I needed to come up with some sort of motto every day to remind myself of what I can do better the next day: How have I improved today? I think the key to being a happy person is making someone else happy. So, Who did I help today? Did I make anyone laugh or smile? Did I smile or laugh as well? It's amazing what kind of influence we can be on others with the smallest amount of word or action. Like, the other day I was at Target and this mom was struggling with her three small kids and their back-to-school supplies, so I helped her pick out what's best to get while my mom spent basically an entire hour in the gardening section. I have to admit I felt pretty good about myself, almost like an actual helpful employee of Target (I know that store way too well). 
Then, for the sake of our own physical health, did I eat ANYTHING healthy today? For me sometimes the answer is absolutely not. I mean this is 'Merica and there's junk food everywhere whether you like it or not. Did I do any source of exercise? I think even if you do not have time to go run (or swim, which I've preferred lately in this Texas heat), just do 20 jumping jacks and stretch your muscles so you can get that heart pumping. (or you can go on Pinterest and look at pictures of people with awesome fit bodies and motivate yourself to exercise). 
Then, of course, did I get done what I needed to get done today? This is where I have to prioritize; what is absolutely essential to get done, and what can wait for tomorrow. Time management is also required for this.

After I've mentally gone through the pros of today, then I ask: How can I improve tomorrow? Maybe I'll be more productive/helpful tomorrow if I wake up earlier, and maybe I should watch this Netflix movie this weekend instead of starting it at 12 am tonight so that I'll be able to wake up earlier. Tomorrow I'll put peanut butter on my toast instead of too much butter (or nutella). I'll do the dishes before I check my Instagram feed, maybe even clean the counter tops which I hardly do. Instead of heating up a pizza pocket for lunch, maybe I'll actually look for a quick, healthy recipe on Pinterest or in a cookbook and whip up something that my body needs. 
Was I really rude or snappy at someone today? Let's work on that attitude tomorrow. Today I was in a parking lot walking back to my car and someone backed out of their spot without looking and bumped me, almost running me over. I instinctively yelled out "HEY!" and immediately shot my death glare at whoever was in the car about to curse at them, probably a stupid teenager. Then I realized the driver was this frail old man, and his face full of fear and humiliation. I walked around his car to go back to my car and he rolled down his window, politely apologizing. I took a deep breath to regain my patience and politely forgave him. It's amazing how the smallest things can really throw me off, even if I just stub my tow or my zipper gets caught. But, forgive and forget. Think of the big picture. 

Now, I don't ask myself this every day, but at least once or a few times a week. Did I create any memories? If something super awesome, or awful even, happened this week, I wanna write it down or somehow record it so I'll always remember it. The other day my friend Madi and I went swimming and we wore three different swimsuits at the same time because we couldn't decide which one to wear. Why not? Who's stopping us?
Life is short so be awesome. 

For all you HIMYM fans, his guy says it pretty well I'd say.

Madi Bass and I creating our own trends. YOLO. #ididnotjustsaythat

How have YOU improved today?